Grain-measurer



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J.'B. BARTHOLOMBW.

GRAIN MEASUBER.

Patentd June 80,1891.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J.'B. BARTHOLOMEW.

GRAIN MEASURER Patented June 30,1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. BARTHOLOMEWV, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

GRAlN-MEASURER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 454,898, dated June 30,1891.

Application filed December 11 1890. Serial No. 374,398. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. BARTHoLoMEw, a citizen of the United States,residing at Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Grain-Measures, of which thefollowing is a specification.

Heretofore in the operation of automatic grain-measures it has beenfound necessary, so far as possible, to make allowance for thatadditional quantity or portion of incoming grain which falls into andaccumulates Within the m easuring-receptacle and passes out with themeasured quantity or portion during the interval which elapscs betweenthe cutting off of the incoming grain and the discharge of the whole ofthe measured quantity or por tion, said additional quantity of grainbeing caused to so accumulate within the measuring-compartment by thecutting into and the closing off of a stream of incoming grain at apoint above the mechanism acting upon the body of accumulatedgrain,which mechanism automatically and at predetermined intervalsprovides or opens a way for the discharge of the measured grain andsynchronously therewith cuts oit the incoming grain. It has also beenfound in practice that the necessity of making this allowance rendersone and the same measuring-machine inadequate to automatically andaccurately measure grain of differing character or kind.

The object of my invention, primarily and broadly, is to obviatet-henecessity of making such allowance as has hereinbefore been described bysuch a disposition of the mechanism actuated to automatically dischargethe measured grain and also to cut off the incoming grain as that theincoming grain is cut off immediately upon the opening of thedischarge-exit in such a manner as that no further quantity of grainenters into the measuringreceptacle to and upon the accumulated quantityof grain after the latter is of the desired predetermined amount and isdischarging or discharged and the discharge-exit closed to againaccumulate the grain to be measured.

My object, further, is to provide mechanism by which the foregoingresult maybe accomplished which shall be simple in construction,positive in action, and rapid in operation. I

My invention consists in an arrangement and disposition of themechanism, acting upon the accumulated grain to automatically dischargethe measured quantity and cut oif incoming grain above the cut-off ofthe incoming grain.

My invention consists, further, in the disposition of an actuated shaftwithin a grainreceiver, said shaft carrying disks or a wormscrew which,compressing the grain, imparts an additional or auxiliary movement tothe shaft other than its normal movement of rotation, by which mechanismactuating the cut-off and discharge is tripped into operation orpermitted tooperate.

My invention consists, further, in the form and disposition of the outoff and discharge valve or valves within a meas urin greceptacle.

My invention consists, further, in the construction of the trippingmechanism, or that mechanism'which at certain intervals withholds thedriving mechanism from operating the discharge and cut-off, saidmechanism being of such an arrangement and character as to bepositive'in action and invariably accomplish its desired function.

My invention consists, further, in certain details of constructionhereinafter fully described, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is an end elevation of my improvedmeasuring-machine. Fig.2 is a detail perspective view of the cut-off anddischargevalve. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the machine, the positionassumed by the cut-0d and discharge-valve being indicated by the dottedlines. Fig. 4 is a top plan view. Fig. 5 is an enlarged. detail side'view of the tripping mechanism. Fig. 6 is a detail View of the stop orledge. Fig. '7 is a detail view of the arm directly acted upon by therotated shaft laterally by the compression of the grain. Fig. 8 is adetail view of the mutilated gearwheel, the tripped latch, and thepinion or gear-wheel on said rotated shaft.

The driving-wheel belted with the driving mechanism is designated at 1,the latter being belted with a sprocket-wheel 2, fixed on the Wormcompression-shaft 3. (Shown fully in Fig. 4.)

The hopper which receives the grain from the elevator-carrier isdesignated at 4, fixed to or formed with the cylindrical measuringcompartment 5, a curved slot 0 being formed par cult in one of the endplates of the latter,

Referring now to Fig. 2,it will be observed that the valve 7 for cuttingoff incoming grain and discharging measured grain is semi-cylindrical inform, having circular end plates 8 and 9 and also trunnions 10 projectedfrom the outer centers of said end plates, together with a wrist-pin 11on the end-plate 9. The said semi-cylindrical cut-off and dischargevalve 7 is of such dimension as to admit of its being disposedconcentrically within the cylindrical measuring-compartment 5, thetrunnions 10 finding hearings in the center of the end plates of saidcompartment and constituting the pivots of said valve 7, the wrist-pin11 projecting through and beyond the slot 6, Fig. 1. A connecting-rod 12is attached at its lower end pivotally to the wrist-pin 11, its upperend being pivotally secured to the face of the mutilated gear-wheel 13,which latter is adapted at predetermined intervals to gear with a pinionor gear-wheel 14, fixed upon the shaft 3, Figs. 1, 4, and 8. Upon saidshaft- 3 is located a worm or screw 15, which may be extended along saidshaft 3 for approximately its whole length within the hop- 'per 4, iffound necessary, or only fora portion of its length. A horizontal shaft16, mounted in journals projected from the hopper, and on which themutilated gear-wheel 13 is fixed, is extended on the outer side of themachine from one end thereof to the other, the end of said shaft 16opposite to that end carrying the mutilated gear-Wheel 13 having fixedthereto a crank-arm 17, carrying pivotally a bar 18, Fig. 3, to which issecured a spring 19, which latter is also in turn fixed to the hopper 20of the conveyer. Pivoted to the end piece 21 of the hopper 4 is adepending arm 22, the lower end of which is so formed as to partiallyembrace the shaft 3, Fig. 7, which latter is provided with a collar 23,adapted to impinge against said depending arm 22. Fixed to saiddepending arm 22 is a lug 24, extending through the end piece 21 of thehopper, a spring 25 being coiled about said lug 24 and interposedbetween said end piece 21 and the depending arm 22. Fixed rigidly tosaid end piece 21 of the hopper is a stationary depending arm 26,perforated at its lower end and provided with a projecting ledge or stop27, Fig. 6, said lug 24 being extended through a perforation in the endpiece 21 and through the perforation in the stationary arm. Pivoted tothe inner face of the mutilated gearwheel 13 is a bifurcated latch 28,the bifurcations of which straddle the shaft 3, Fig. 8, the end of thesaid latch opposite its pivot having fixed thereto a lug 29,extendingthrough the mutilated gearwheel 13, a spring being coiled aboutsaid lug 29 and interposed between the said gear-wheel 13 and the latch28. The top of the hopper 4 may be covered by asuitable shield 31,which.

may extend over the worm or screw 15,either entirely or partially, asfound most practicable, to aid in compressing the grain. The bottom ofthe hopper 4 opens directly into the measuringcompartment and thedischarge-opening at the bottom of the latter is preferably twice thesize of en trance-opening.

The operation of myimproved measurer is as follows: The semi-cylindricalcut-off and discharge valve 7 is' of such dimensions as to fit closelyconcentrically within the cylindrical measnringcompartment, and normallywhile grain is being discharged into said compartment is in the positionindicated by the dotted line designated by the letter A, Fig. 3, thedischarge-opening being closed and the entrance to said compartment openand the grain filling into the latter. When now the grain has filled themeasuring-compartment and accumulates within the hopper 4 about therotated worm or screw the latter tends to feed the grain against the endpiece of the hopper in the direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. 4, andthe grain finding no exit reacts by compression against the said screwor worm, which in turn acts upon its shaft 3, moving the latterlaterally in the opposite direction to themovement of the grain. Thegear-wheel 13 is normally inoperative or idle while the grain is fillingthe measuringcompartment, not being in gear with the constantly-rotatedgear-wheel or pinion 14, its mutilated portion being opposite saidpinion 14. The spring 19 and the crank-arm 11 normally exert a pull uponthe shaft 16 to rotate the same and the mutilated gear-wheel 13 carriedthereby in the direction of the, arrow, Fig. 8, during the filling ofthe measuringcompartment, which tendency to rotate is overcome by thebifurcated latch 28, pivoted to said gear-wheel 13, resting on the ledgeor stop 27 of the stationary arm 26. WVhen, however, the shaft 3 ismoved laterally, in the manner hereinbefore described, toward the endpiece 21 of the hopper 4, the collar 23 engages against the lower end ofthe pivoted depending arm 22, earring the lug 24, which latter thenimpinges against the bifurcated latch 28, pivoted on the gear-wheel 13,pushing the said latch from ofi the ledge or stop 27 of the stationaryarm 26, said gearwheel 13 being then left free to rotate by virtue ofthe action of the spring 19 thereon, and its teeth caused-to mesh withthose of the constantly-rotated pinion or gear-wheel 14, which latterthen continues to rotate said gear-wheel 13 in the same direction forapproximately one complete revolution, during which operation theconnecting-rod 12 draws upwardly upon the semi-cylindrical valve 7,causing the latter to assume the position inletter B in Fig. 3,discharging the measured grain and closing the entrance opening againstthe incoming grain, the mutilated gear-wheel 13 having performedapproximately one-half of its revolution. In the further rotation ofsaid gear-wheel 13 and on the downward stroke of the connectingrod 12the valve is returned to the position shown by A, opening the entranceto the grain and closing the discharge-opening. As soon as thebifurcated latch 28 is disengaged from the stationary arm 26 the spring29 acts upon the bifurcated latch to cause the latter toassume aposition in which to engage and be again held by the ledge or stop 27 ofthe stationary arm 26, when the shaft 3 and pinion lat again rotate freeof the said mutilated gear-wheel 13 as the blank portion thereof isagain opposite the said pinion 14, the operation being again repeatedwhen the same quantity of grain has accumulated within themeasuring-compartment and the hopper.

It is now apparent from the foregoing description that the shaft 3 andworm or screw 15 are located above the entrance-opening or valve whichcuts off the entrance of the grain into the measuring-compartment andacts upon the grain to actuate the tripping mechanism at a point abovesuch entrance-opening and valve, and by virtue of this fact does not cutinto and close off astream of incoming grain, a portion of which thenfalls into the measuring-compartment and passes out with themeasured-quantity, the effect of which rendersit impossible for one andthe same machine to accurately measure cereals of different-sizedgrains.

In the practical operation of grain-measures it has been found that incutting ofithe grain the latter banks up within the nose of theelevator-carrier, often resulting in the stoppage of the latter andnecessitating manipulation in order to cause a resumption of the flow ofthe grain, this being especially the case where the grain is wet andheavy.

It is apparent that the worm or screw, being constantly rotated withinthe grain accumulated in the hopper, agitates and maintains the same inthe desired loose condition ready to resume its flow when the entranceto the measuring-compartment is opened.

The arrangement of the tripping mechanism is of the most positivecharacter, since, if for any reason the lug 24 should be caught or notretire with sufficient rapidity from the ledge 27, the bifurcated latch28 would still engage upon said lug, and upon the Withdrawal of thelatter would immediately engage the ledge.

In addition to its Various other functions the worm or screw 15 on theshaft 3 performs the office of a distributer of the grain within themeasuring-compartment.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

x. ller/ 454,898 e dicated by the dotted lines designated by the 1. In agrain-measuring machine, a measuring-compartment, a valve for cuttingoff the incoming grain, releasing mechanism disposed above the cut-offvalve and acted upon by the grain, and connected mechanism released orbrought into action to operate said valve.

2. In a grain-measuring machine, a measuring-compartment, a valve forcutting off the incoming grain and discharging the measured grain,releasing mechanism disposed above the cut-off and discharge valve andacted upon by the grain, and connected mechanism released or broughtinto action to operate said valve. 1

3. In a grain-measuring machine, a measuring-compartment, a cut-offvalve for cutting off the incoming grain, releasing mechanismcontinuously operated, disposed above said cut-off valve, and acted uponby the grain, and connected mechanism intermittently re leased orbrought into action to operate said valve at predetermined intervals.

4. In a grain-measuring machine, a measuring-compartment, a cut-off anddischarge valve for cutting oif the incoming grain and dischargingthemeasured grain,continuouslyoperated releasing mechanism disposed abovethe said cut-off and discharge valve and acted upon by the grain,andconnected mechanism intermittently released or broughtin to action tooperate said valve at predetermined int-ervals.

5. In a grain measuring mechanism, a

measuring-compartment, a cut-off and discharge valve operated Withinsaid compartment, a continuously-operated rotated shaft arrangedapproximately horizontally, having a worm or screw thereon acting uponthe grain to impart to said shaft an auxiliary movement supplemental toits movement of rotation, and connected mechanism intermittentlyreleased or brought into action to operate the cut-0d and dischargevalve at pre determined intervals.

G. In a grain-measuring machine, a measuring-compartment, a cut-off anddischarge valve operated Within said measuring-compartment, acontinuously-operated shaft acted upon laterally by the compression ofthe grain, and connected mechanism comprising a mutilated gear-wheel, acontinuously-rotated gear-wheel, and means for automatically, by theauxiliary movement of said shaft at predetermined intervals, gearingsaid mutilated gear-wheel with the continuously-operated gear-Wheel toactuate the cut-off and discharge valve.

7. In a grain-measuring machine, a measuring-compartment, a cut-off anddischarge valve operated within said compartment, acontinuously-operated shaft disposed above the cut-off and the dischargevalve, acted upon by the grain accumulated above the cut-off valve toproduce an auxiliary movement of the shaft, and connected mechanismcomprising a mutilated gear-wheel normally inopera- IIO lated gear-wheelbeing connected with the discharge and cut-off valve.

8. In a grain-measurer, a measuring-compartment having entrance and exitopenings, and a semi-cylindrical cut-off and discharge valve locatedtherein, and means for operating said valve at predetermined intervals.

9. In a grain-measurer, the combination, with the measuring-compartmenthaving entrance 'and exit openings, of a cut-off and discharge valveWithin said compartment, a continuously-rotated shaft disposed over saidentrance and exit openings and above the cutoff and discharge valve, aworm or screw mounted upon said shaft, which latter is given anauxiliary movement by the reactive infiuence of the accumulated,confined, and compressed grain, and connected mechanism adapted to bereleased by the movement of said shaft to operate the said valve.

10. In a grain-measurer, a measuring-compartment, a cutoff and dischargevalve mounted therein, a mutilated gear-wheel inoperative during thefilling of the measuringcompartment connected with said valve, acontinuously-rotated shaft disposed over said cut-off and dischargevalve, a screw or worm carried by said shaft, adapted to act upon thegrain above the cut-off to produce an auxiliary movement of said shaft,and mechanism actuated by said auxiliary movement of the shaft, causingsaid mutilated gear-wheel to gear with a continuously-rotated gear-wheelto operate the cut-01f and discharge valve at predetermined intervals.

11. In a grain-measurer, ameasuring-compartment, a cut-off and dischargevalve operated therein, a rotated shaft acted upon by the grain toproduce a movement of said shaft auxiliary to said movementofrotation,mechanism connected to the cut-off and discharge valve carryinga swinging latch, and a stop adapted toen gage said swinging latch andhold the mechanism actuating the valve inoperative during the filling ofthe measuring-compartment, said latch being disengaged intermittently bythe auxiliary movement of the shaft to operate the valve.

12. In a grain-measurer, a measuring-compartment, a cut-0d and dischargevalve,a rotated shaft, a swinging arm engaged by said shaft when thelatter is acted upon by-the grain to produce an auxiliary movement, apin acted upon by said arm, a stop, a swinging latch pivotally carriedby a mutilated gear-wheel adapted to be engaged by said stop anddisengaged by the action of the pin, and a continuously-rotatedgear-wheel and yielding pressure normally tending to cause saidmutilated gear-wheel to mesh with the continuously-rotated gear-wheel.

13. In a grain-measurer, a measuring-compartment, a rotated shaft, amutilated gearwheel, a cutofi and discharge valve connected with saidgear-wheel, yielding pressure acting upon the said gear-wheel, by whichthe latter normally tends to mesh with a continuouslyrotated gear-wheel,a stop, a latch carried by and pivoted to the mutilated gear wheel,adapted to be engaged by the stop during the filling of themeasuring-compartment, and mechanism acted upon by the grain by whichthe latch is disengaged from the stop.

JOHN B. BARTHOLOMEW.

Witnesses:

G. O. BULKLEY,

THOMAS G. ORWIG.

